Luteal phase decrease in packed cell volume in healthy non-pregnant and pregnant bitches.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To establish packed cell volume (PCV) ranges for non-pregnant, pregnant and post-partum bitches from day 10 of proestrus, investigating any relationship with parity and litter size.

Methods

This prospective cohort study used 37 healthy breeding bitches to examine PCV counts from routine blood samples collected every 4 weeks, from day 10 of proestrus, as part of routine PCV monitoring.

Results

For pregnant (n = 19) and non-pregnant (n = 18) bitches, PCV decreased until week 8 (corresponding to 8.5 ± 1.1 days before whelping for pregnant bitches) and recovered by 16-20 weeks after the initial sample; bitches that whelped average and large litters showed greater declines. PCV began to recover sooner for bitches that had previously whelped one or two litters co

SUBMITTER: Moxon R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10508517 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature